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Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
A cabinet-level department of the United States government from 1953 until 1979.In 1979, a separate Department of Education (ED) was created from this department, and HEW was renamed as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). To date, this was the only department of the U.S. government to be created through presidential reorganization authority, in which the president is allowed to be create or reorganize bureaucracies as long as neither house of Congress passed a legislative veto. -
Brown vs Board of Education
The Court unanimously ruled that "separate but equal" public schools for blacks and whites were unconstitutional. The Brown case served as a catalyst for the modern civil rights movement, inspiring education reform everywhere and forming the legal means of challenging segregation in all areas of society. -
National Defense Education Act (PL 85-926)
National Defense Education Act (NDEA), federal legislation passed in 1958 providing aid to education in the United States at all levels, public and private. NDEA was instituted primarily to stimulate the advancement of education in science, mathematics, and modern foreign languages. Provided funds for training professionals to train teachers of children with mental retardation. -
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (PL 89-10)
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act was passed in 1965 as a part of the "War on Poverty." ESEA emphasizes equal access to education and establishes high standards and accountability. The law authorizes federally funded education programs that are administered by the states. Provided money to states and local districts for developing programs for economically disadvantaged and disabled children. -
Amendment to Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (PL 89-313)
Provided funding for state-supported programs in institutions and other settings for children with disabilities -
Education for All Handicapped Children's Act (EAHCA) (PL 94-142)
Mandated free appropriate public education for all children with disabilities ages 6-21. Protected the rights of children with disabilities and their parents in educational decision making. Required the development of an IEP for each child with a disability. Stated that students with disabilities must receive educational services in the least restrictive environment. -
Amendments to the Education of Handicapped Act (PL 98-199)
Required states to collect data on the number of youth with disabilities exiting their systems and to address the needs of secondary students making the transition to adulthood. Gave incentives to states to provide services to infants and preschool children with disabilites. -
Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 101-336)
Provided civil rights protection against discrimination to citizens with disabilities in private sector employment. Provided access to all public services, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. -
Americans with Disabilities Education Act (PL 101-476)
Added autism and tramatic brain injury as new categories of disability. Required all IEPs to include a statement of needed transition services no later than age 16. Expanded the definition of related services to include rehabilitation counseling annd social work services. -
Improving America's School Act
The Improving America's Schools Act (IASA) is signed into law by President Bill Clinton on January 25th. It. reauthorizes the ESEA of 1965 and includes reforms for Title I; increased funding for bilingual and immigrant education; and provisions for public charter schools, drop-out prevention, and educational technology. -
Reauthorization of Americans with Disabilities Education Act (PL 105-17)
Added several major provisions including: a regular education teacher must be a member of the IEP team; students with disabilities must have access to the general education curriculum; the IEP must address positive behavior support plans where appropriate; students with disabilities must be included in state or districtwide testing programs -
Columbine Massacre
On April 20, 1999, in the small, suburban town of Littleton, Colorado, two high-school seniors, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, enacted an all-out assault on Columbine High School during the middle of the school day. The boys' plan was to kill hundreds of their peers. With guns, knives, and a multitude of bombs, the two boys walked the hallways and killed. When the day was done, twelve students, one teacher, and the two murderers were dead -
No Child Left Behind Act (PL 107-110)
NCLB's ultimate goal is that all children will be proficient in all subject matter by the year 2014. School districts are expected to make adequate yearly progress toward the 100% goal, ensure that all children are taught by "highly qualified" teachers, and use curriculum and instructional methods validated by rigorous scientific research. Schools that do not make AYP are initially targeted for assistance and then subject to corrective action and ultimately restructuring. -
Higher Education Act
The Higher Education Act is again amended and reauthorized, expanding access to higher education for low and middle income students, providing additional funds for graduate studies, and increasing accountability. -
Reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (PL 108-446)
Retained major components and principles of IDEA. Key changes include benchmarks and short-term objectives required only in IEPs for students who take alternative assessments related to alternative achievement standards. Pilot program for multiyear IEPs. "response-to-instruction" may be used to identify learning disabilities. "highly qualified" special education teacher defined.
